The Vietnamese FM made the statement whilst speaking at the Sweden - Vietnam Business Summit, which opened in Hanoi on May 7 on the occasion of the visit by Crown Princess Victoria and her spouse to Vietnam from May 6 to 8.
The event was co-organised by the Swedish Embassy in Hanoi, the Swedish Trade & Invest Council and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. It brought together over 1,000 delegates from ministries, agencies, and international organisations, including 70 businesspeople representing 50 Swedish firms and trade organisations led by Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Ann Linde.
Major fields set as a focus for sustainable development and innovation including manufacturing, solutions for consumers, healthcare and education were discussed at the summit.
Speaking at the event, Deputy PM and FM Minh spoke highly of Sweden’s support for Vietnam's national unification, socio-economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction during the past half a century, helping Vietnam to promptly complete multiple UN Millennium Development Goals.
Swedish-built projects in Vietnam have become a symbol of friendship between the two nations, such as the Hanoi-based Vietnam National Children's Hospital, Bai Bang Paper Mill and Uong Bi Hospital, FM Minh said.
Today, the relationship between the two sides has entered a new stage based on an equal partnership foundation. Sweden is an important and reliable partner of Vietnam in the European Union (EU), with bilateral trade turnover continuing to grow well, reaching US$1.5 billion in 2018. Sweden currently has 67 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$364 million, ranking 34th out of 130 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
Saying that it is “golden” time to develop bilateral relations in general and economic, trade and investment cooperation in particular, Deputy PM added that the Vietnamese economy is improving with more stable and transparent laws and policies, attracting investors globally, as well as from the EU and Sweden in particular.
Vietnam wants to acquire experience from the world’s leading technological groups in order to catch up with the fourth industrial revolution, he said.
 |
Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree delivers a speech at the event. (Photo: VNA)
Crown Princess Victoria said Vietnam and Sweden have fostered a long-standing and sustainable partnership based on mutual trust and respect over the past five decades.
She expressed support for Vietnam’s commitment to the fulfilment of the United Nations sustainable development goals till 2030, and said with optimism that the event will afford both countries and their firms a chance to enhance cooperation.
